Urgent solutions to reduce railway accidents.
(Baonghean) - In recent times, the situation of railway traffic accidents in the province has remained complex and is on the rise, with up to 80% of accidents involving level crossings. Therefore, implementing effective solutions to prevent and mitigate accidents is an urgent issue.
Increased accidents related to level crossings.
From the beginning of the year until now, Nghe An province has experienced 14 railway traffic accidents (an increase of 7 compared to 2018), resulting in 5 deaths (an increase of 1) and 4 injuries (an increase of 2). The majority of these accidents involved level crossings.
For example, the railway accident that occurred at 11:09 AM on April 20th at kilometer 276 + 351 of the North-South railway line, in Dien Hong commune, Dien Chau district, involved the Thong Nhat train SE8 traveling from South to North. Upon reaching Dien Hong commune, the train collided with a truck carrying soil with license plate 37C - 302.99, driven by Ho Ba Son (23 years old, residing in Hamlet 4, Quynh Thang commune, Quynh Luu district), who was crossing a local road from National Highway 1A onto an inter-communal road.
It is known that the local road, although lacking a level crossing barrier, has a complete system of warning signs. The accident caused the truck to be thrown about 10 meters, landing in a field, and the driver died inside the mangled cabin. The locomotive's driver's side window was shattered, and one carriage derailed, paralyzing the railway for several hours.
 |
| Scenes from several railway accidents in the province during 2018 and early 2019. (Archival photo) |
In another incident, at 7:20 PM on May 10th, at kilometer 271+750 of the North-South railway line in Dien Yen commune, Dien Chau district, a freight train traveling from South to North struck Mr. Nguyen Van Hon (67 years old, residing in Hamlet 17, Dien Yen commune, Dien Chau district) who was driving a motorbike with license plate 37F1-500.33 across the railway tracks. Mr. Hon died on the spot. According to witnesses, the accident occurred at an unauthorized crossing equipped with a functioning warning system; however, Mr. Hon failed to observe the crossing and was struck by the train.
Recently, on June 9th, two consecutive railway accidents occurred. The first took place at 8:40 AM at kilometer 275+400 (an unauthorized crossing) in Dien Hong commune, Dien Chau district. At that time, the SH3 freight train, traveling from North to South, collided with a four-seater taxi crossing the railway tracks. Fortunately, there were no casualties or damage to the vehicle.
At 9:37 AM at kilometer 320+445, an automatic warning level crossing in Dong Vinh ward, Vinh City, the HH62 freight train, traveling from South to North, collided with a 1.5-ton truck with license plate 37C-295.90, driven by Mr. Pham Duc Thach (born 1972, residing in Vinh Thinh block, Dong Vinh ward, Vinh City) who was crossing the railway tracks. The accident caused the truck to be thrown off the railway track and severely damaged. Fortunately, the driver only sustained injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital by local residents.
A necessary and urgent solution.
Regarding the causes of railway accidents at level crossings, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thuong, Deputy Head of the Railway Technical Supervision and Traffic Safety Department, Nghe Tinh Railway Branch, stated: The fundamental cause is due to violations by road users and drivers of road vehicles when crossing level crossings, failing to observe level crossing signs, signals, and signals from crossing guards; failing to control speed, resulting in collisions with trains crossing the level crossing; or deliberately crossing the level crossing despite warning signals indicating an approaching train...
Up to 80% of accidents involve level crossings.
Besides causing significant loss of life and property for the public, these accidents also inflict substantial financial damage on the railway industry.
For example, the accident at 2:32 AM on June 30, 2018, at kilometer 314+550 in Nghi Lien commune, Vinh City, involved train SE 19 and a gas delivery truck with license plate 29C-402.52 driven by Nguyen Van Bao (27 years old, residing in Thuong Dat, Nam Sach, Hai Duong). The truck crossed the railway tracks at a location with a warning sign, causing damage to the locomotive and rendering it unable to pull the train. The damages amounted to 1.4 billion VND, but the truck driver only compensated 450 million VND.
In response to the alarming number of railway accidents, the province has closed 39 illegal level crossings and constructed access roads and fences to close 61 illegal pedestrian crossings in Hoang Mai town, Quynh Luu, Dien Chau, Nghi Loc, Hung Nguyen districts, and Vinh City.
In addition, 63 pedestrian crossings were narrowed, guards were stationed at some level crossings, "Caution: Train" signs were posted at all pedestrian crossings; speed limit signs and barriers were installed at 20 pedestrian crossings, and 6 automatic level crossing gates were installed at key crossings. However, the situation regarding railway traffic accidents has remained complex and is showing an increasing trend.
 |
| The construction site is located within the protected area of the railway infrastructure in Hung Xuan commune, Hung Nguyen district. Photo: D.C. |
Discussing solutions to reduce railway-related accidents, Mr. Tran Van Ke, Deputy Director of Nghe Tinh Railway Joint Stock Company, said: In addition to illegal level crossings, structures violating the railway safety corridor that have not been completely removed are also one of the causes of accidents.
Therefore, following a recent request from the unit, Vietnam Railways Corporation has allocated funds to install more automatic level crossing gates and invest in additional manned level crossings, with implementation expected in 2019.
According to Mr. Vo Minh Duc, Chief of the Provincial Traffic Safety Committee Office, in reality, many households still brazenly construct buildings, erect canopies, and place advertising signs that obstruct visibility, posing a safety risk to people and other vehicles traveling across the railway.
According to Mr. Duc, the most fundamental solution to minimize railway accidents is to thoroughly address violations of railway safety corridors; station guards at level crossings; and organize barriers and build access roads to completely close illegal openings and unauthorized public access points.
From the perspective of the local people, Mr. Nguyen Van Than, residing in Nghi Long commune, Nghi Loc district, an area where the North-South railway line runs through, suggested increasing the volume of train horns and signal lights at level crossings, possibly including flashing lights. He also proposed incorporating railway traffic safety content into the driver's license examination.
 |
| Surveillance cameras in the railway technical and safety monitoring room are used to warn and remind workers to perform their duties correctly. Photo: D.C. |
The above solutions are necessary. In addition, the railway sector needs to coordinate with localities through which railway lines pass to raise public awareness of traffic safety regulations and the protection of railway infrastructure and safety corridors. It is also necessary to compile statistics and review existing level crossings, resolutely preventing their creation, and to develop specific plans and timelines for eliminating illegal level crossings.
For cases of violations of railway safety corridors, after handling and handing over to local authorities for management, if the violations continue, specific accountability must be assigned. At the same time, relevant authorities need to strictly prosecute those who fail to comply with railway safety regulations and cause serious accidents...
Out of a total of 95.5km of the North-South railway line through Nghe An (excluding the 30.5km Cau Giat - Nghia Dan branch line, passing through 7 districts, towns, and cities with 43 wards, communes, and townships), there are 58 level crossings; of which 18 are guarded, 5 are equipped with automatic warning systems, 20 are equipped with automatic barrier gates, and 15 are marked crossings; the number of unauthorized crossings is 151.